Het Zand Square

Bruges


Under ongoing redevelopment since 2015, ’t Zand is Bruges' largest public square and a major transport hub, fringed with shops, hotels and restaurants. Its dramatic Beeldengroep fountain, featuring cyclists and lumpy nudes, is more appealing when floodlit at night. The dominant building is the vast red Concertgebouw, a concert hall and art space opened in 2002 to celebrate Bruges’ year-long stint as the European City of Culture.

There's an open-air food market held here every Saturday morning.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Bruges attractions

1. St-Salvatorskathedraal

0.15 MILES

Stacked sub-towers top the massive central tower of 13th-century St Saviour’s Cathedral. In daylight the construction looks somewhat dour, but once…

2. Museum Sint-Janshospitaal

0.26 MILES

In the restored chapel of a 12th-century hospital building with superb timber beamwork, this museum shows various torturous-looking medical implements,…

3. Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk

0.26 MILES

Dominating its surrounds, this 13th-century church was reopened in 2015 after extensive renovations. Its enormous 115m spire is unmissable throughout much…

4. Gruuthusemuseum

0.29 MILES

The museum takes its name from the flower-and-herb mixture (gruut) that used to flavour beer before the cultivation of hops. The romantic heraldic…

5. Begijnhof

0.3 MILES

Bruges’ delightful begijnhof dates from the 13th century. Despite the hordes of summer tourists, remains a remarkably tranquil haven. Outside the 1776…

6. Brouwerij De Halve Maan

0.31 MILES

Founded in 1856, though there has been a brewery on the site since 1564, this is the last family brouwerij (brewhouse) in central Bruges. Multilingual, 45…

7. St-Bonifaciusbrug

0.31 MILES

Stand atop the 20th-century stone Bonifacius bridge, itself amply photogenic, for lovely vistas of the canal and surrounds.

8. Arentshuis

0.32 MILES

This stately 18th-century patrician house displays the powerful paintings and dark-hued etchings of Frank Brangwyn (1867–1956), a Bruges-born artist of…